front coil spring noise

[Wayne P.]

I placed my old springs in a new frame. Is it normal to have them settle in ? I have a lot off noise when going over a bump or hard steering left or right. Sort of like the sound of an old bed spring. Maybe I didn't install correctly ? Or are the arm bushings the problem ? I know now I should not have gone with Polly. The car tracks fine was aligned last week. Would this be a safety item ? I bounced the car and hear nothing. only when it hits bumps or going over curbs.

[Donald O.]

Re: front coil spring noise

I placed my old springs in a new frame. Is it normal to have them settle in ? I have a lot off noise when going over a bump or hard steering left or right. Sort of like the sound of an old bed spring. Maybe I didn't install correctly ? Or are the arm bushings the problem ? I know now I should not have gone with Polly. The car tracks fine was aligned last week. Would this be a safety item ? I bounced the car and hear nothing. only when it hits bumps or going over curbs.

You have the normal "Poly Bushing Noise Syndrome". This is why I would only use the original rubber type in the cars I have restored/rebuild/repaired.
If I was going racing a very hard poly is what I would use, just not for the street or for show. Or quiet.

DonO

[Joe L.]

Re: front coil spring noise

You have the normal "Poly Bushing Noise Syndrome". This is why I would only use the original rubber type in the cars I have restored/rebuild/repaired.
If I was going racing a very hard poly is what I would use, just not for the street or for show. Or quiet.

DonO

Don and Wayne-----


Yes, absolutely. This is one of the reasons that I would NEVER, EVER use polyurethane bushings for a street car and why I don't recommend that anyone else do so, either.

There is the possibility in this case that the springs are not properly seated in the tower and/or the lower a-arm. However, I would say the polyurethane bushings are the cause of at least part of the noise problem or, more likely, the ENTIRE cause of the noise problem.

[Michael G.]

Re: front coil spring noise

All,

Not sure if this is the source...had a squeak coming from one of the front springs where spring was coming info contact with the frame horn. As spring compressed and expanded would contact the frame. A little grease went along way.

[Wayne P.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Thanks guys. Looks like I have a winter job replacing the bushings.
I placed the end of the spring .300 from upper stop. Michael did you use a grease gun to get to the upper ? Thanks

[Michael G.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Wasn't the issue at the stop. One of the coils would rub the frame horn has the spring compressed (moved up and down). May not be the bushing Wayne.

[Joe L.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Wasn't the issue at the stop. One of the coils would rub the frame horn has the spring compressed (moved up and down). May not be the bushing Wayne.

Michael-----


I don't understand how that could happen unless the spring was improperly installed or a replacement spring used that had a larger OD than the original springs.

[Michael G.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Not sure which case it would be Joe as the springs had already been installed by the time car came to be. Best guess is a misaligned spring. However....on ocassion spring would slightly rub horn.

[Wayne P.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Just a thought I noticed what looks like inspection holes in the lower a-arm . I only see the coil through the inside hole not the outside closest to wheel.

[Jack P.]

Re: front coil spring noise

All,

Not sure if this is the source...had a squeak coming from one of the front springs where spring was coming info contact with the frame horn. As spring compressed and expanded would contact the frame. A little grease went along way.

Hi,

Same here with my 66. New springs hit the frame, grease was the answer. If you jack up the car the springs will hang and you will be able to see the rub area , lower part of spring.

Jack

[Joe L.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Hi,

Same here with my 66. New springs hit the frame, grease was the answer. If you jack up the car the springs will hang and you will be able to see the rub area , lower part of spring.

Jack

Jack------


I could see where this could occur if the springs were "distended" as when the front wheels are off the ground. However, I don't see how it can occur when the springs are in their normal, on-road range of extension and compression. Perhaps it could happen on-road if the car is driven the way the Mustang was in the old movie "Bullitt".

[Jack P.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Jack------


I could see where this could occur if the springs were "distended" as when the front wheels are off the ground. However, I don't see how it can occur when the springs are in their normal, on-road range of extension and compression. Perhaps it could happen on-road if the car is driven the way the Mustang was in the old movie "Bullitt".

Hi, the noise would happen on uneven ground or turns, not always, but as John said, sometimes the spring when installed, did not sit right or should have been rotated a bit. I mentioned the hanging spring, because while I had the car jacked up for other work, I looked at the spring and could see the rub area, lower spring rubbing against the side of the lower A ? frame.

I would grease it every now and then. My car had hit a few things (I hit a few bridges) in my youth and that probably caused the out of line condition. I have quite a few alignment spacers to align my car. (about 1/2 inch worth on one side) .

I don't have polly rubber.

Jack

[John H.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Just a thought I noticed what looks like inspection holes in the lower a-arm . I only see the coil through the inside hole not the outside closest to wheel.

Wayne -

It doesn't matter what you see through those holes - they're for water drainage from the recessed area in the control arm. The spring is to be seated at the top, in the spring seat in the frame tower, 3/8" from the stop formation in the tower, as shown in UPC 3 in the Assembly Manual.

[Wayne P.]

Re: front coil spring noise

Thanks John. I think my coil spring must be touching the upper tower.
I greased it . When I installed it I left .300 but it must have moved.